Who should take the test?

Parasites are living organisms that survive at the expense of a host. These are not only large species such as worms, but often also single-celled parasites invisible to the naked eye. The human intestine in particular serves as a habitat for many different parasites. In many cases, infections occur during vacations in tropical regions, but parasites can also find their way into our bodies in our latitudes, e.g. through insufficiently cooked, infected meat.

Symptoms not only vary depending on the parasite, but also depend on the rate of infestation. Often an infestation takes place for years without any symptoms at all or the symptoms are so unspecific that for a long time it is not possible to conclude the actual reason for the symptoms. This makes the diagnosis extremely difficult.

In our Parasites Complete Check, we check your stool specifically for a wide variety of parasites. We examine your stool microscopically for worm eggs, and perform antigen tests for various unicellular parasites. “Large” worms, i.e. worms visible to the naked eye, cannot be detected by this procedure, as these usually remain in the intestine and only their eggs are excreted in the stool.

It is also important to note that the prepatency period until the appearance of larvae and eggs can be very long in some cases. You have to reckon with 1 to 3 months after infection until the eggs are detectable in the stool.

The Parasites Complete Check analyzes your stool sample for the following parameters:

• Worm eggs
• Cryptosporidium spec.
• Entamoeba histolytica
• Giardia lamblia

By using an adhesive strip on a microscope slide, we also check whether an infection with pinworms is present.

In our latitudes, infection with pinworms (threadworms) is the most common worm disease in humans.

Note: Eggs of the fox tapeworm are not shed in the stool and therefore cannot be determined by a stool test. Imaging procedures must be performed in this case.

How does it work?

You take the samples at home, send them back to us and we send you your result with information on the measured parameters. You will find out whether your values are within the normal range and receive valuable information.

What will my results tell me?

If parasites are found, you will receive information about the exact genus of the eggs or the associated worm. Only in a few individual cases, e.g. in the case of very rare worm species from remote regions, it may be that no more precise delimitation can be made and further examinations (for example at the nearest tropical institute) are required for exact identification. You can then discuss the results with your doctor or health practitioner, who can give you further guidance and treatment recommendations.

What guidance will I get along with my results?

We always recommend the discussion of the mailed results with your doctor or practitioner. Besides, further information is available on our website, especially in the different test categories, under “health conditions” and the FAQs. Still have questions? Then you can contact us by mail at contact@verisana.co.uk.